When you’re on vacation, sitting idle makes sense – it’s encouraged, even. But when it comes to living life to the fullest, you can’t expect great things to just fall in your lap (of luxury). Jorie, Vitacost Health Raiser of the Week, urges you to take the reins and steer yourself toward a healthier, happier state. As a mom of three, Jorie practically has to practice what she preaches, but you can do it, too. Just take a page from her book, and you’ll be well on your way!
What does health mean to you?
Health means taking charge of your life and not letting inertia control you. That could mean waking up a few hours early to run a half dozen miles or chopping up a week’s worth of veggies so you can quickly assemble salads, stir fries and other healthy meals when you’re time crunched and fast food suddenly becomes alluring. As a mom of three, I #RaiseHealth every day by making healthy choices seem “normal” and ordinary to my children!
What inspired you to start living a healthy life?
There are 10 pounds hiding behind a tree, waiting for me to eat a donut, so they can rush up and attach themselves to my hips. Those invisible pounds have always been there. They’re so desperate to be reunited with me, even when I was in high school. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t think carefully about what I was eating.
However, after my oldest son was born, I shifted the way I thought about food and exercise, and it became much less about staying thin and much more about feeling good and being the best “me” I could be. A few months into my sleep-deprived mommyhood, I realized just how much energy it actually takes to care for a child. Trying to stay happy and alert, despite stress and lack of sleep, is a big bite to chew. I realized that regular exercise and nutritious food choices made me feel like I was a much better person (and mother!) than when I took shortcuts.
I went on to have two more beautiful children, and my career became much more intense as well. The one thing that’s kept me sane throughout all of this has been exercise. No matter what else is going on in my life, I always feel like I’m “winning” after a run—even if the run was a tough one!
What are three things you do to stay healthy?
- I exercise 5-6 days each week, usually running, but I also do a day or two of Orange Theory and/or cross-training at the gym.
- I track my food intake every day, with the exception of vacations. I find that if I write things down, I eat more thoughtfully.
- I eat a fruit or vegetable with every meal, whether it’s fruit or canned pumpkin in my oatmeal or veggies thrown in my pasta at dinner.
What is one motivational quote that you live by?
I saw this on Pinterest and it couldn’t be more accurate: “I run, because for some reason completely exhausting myself is the most relaxing part of my day.”